How Gratitude Reframes Struggle Into Fuel for a Better Life
In a recent conversation on the No Man’s Friend podcast with Garret Van Tiem, he asked me a question I often hear: “Are you not bitter?” We were discussing my tumultuous childhood, which was marked by danger, instability, and moving across four countries before I turned seven.
The truth is, I’m not bitter—I’m grateful.
Those challenges weren’t just obstacles to overcome—they were also the fire that forged my abilities today. The instability, social unrest, and personal trials taught me resilience, sharpened my perspective, nurtured my creativity, and taught me to tell stories that matter.
Suffering has been my greatest teacher, and I wouldn’t trade its lessons for anything. You’ll hear this sentiment voiced by most people you admire if you pay attention to their words. The catalyst that transforms suffering into something valuable is gratitude.
Gratitude transforms how we see life and the world around us. We have a holiday dedicated to it, but no Thanksgiving week is 100% free of anxiety and scarcity—there’s always something pulling at us. Gratitude doesn’t erase these challenges; it reframes them, shifting our focus from scarcity to abundance.
Here are five gratitude practices I use daily and weekly to keep this perspective alive:
1. Daily Journaling: Writing down what I’m grateful for over the past 48 hours brings abundance to light.
2. Reflecting on Suffering: Revisiting my past challenges as teachers reveals deep lessons about life and human nature.
3. Expressing Gratitude: Thanking someone daily builds connection, joy, and perspective.
4. Weekly Sabbath: A full day of rest, delight, and gratitude is the most transformative rhythm in my life.
5. Creating Art: Making something for the sake of beauty is an overflow of the gifts I’ve received.
If you’re ready to turn your challenges into victory, join me on December 18th at Noon CST for my free webinar, How to Turn Failure into Victory. Together, we’ll explore practical ways to shift your mindset and embrace life’s lessons.
May gratitude shift your perspective and fill your life with abundance. Thank you for subscribing; it means the world to me.
Talking about the power of a transformed human being, check out my interview with my good friend Jack Barsky - a former KGB Agent in the US. It’s one of the most remarkable stories I’ve ever heard.
The life story episode I was referring to on the No Man’s Friend podcast.